New Releases - 11.20.2007

Almost a week late, but better late than never, right?

Usually label compilations are a bit of a mish-mash... And not so good to be listened to from start to finish. But since most of Morr's releases fall into a category I like to call "for the quiet times", this 2-CD set is actually fairly cohesive. Beeps & blips & pretty sounds abound!

Butcher the Bar - Leave This Town

I'll admit it. I love Christmas music. But even if you despise most Christmas tunes, I think you might still enjoy this EP from singer/songwriter Joshua James. It's like a soft and sweet indie-style Christmas, unobtrusively adding some holiday cheer to your day!


Joshua James - Winter Storm

Being The Format completist that I am, I already had most of the songs on B-sides & Rarities. But that didn't stop me from spending $30 on Format merch, just so I could get a physical copy of the CD. It was worth it because I now have their incredible new DVD and a whale t-shirt.

The Format - Does Your Cat Have A Mustache? (originally on For the Kids III)


Other honorable mentions for 11.20.07:

To My Boy - Messages (fun 80s-style-pop)
Benjamin Biolay - Trash Yeye (French folk)
Ed Harcourt - Until Tomorrow Then: The Best of Ed Harcourt (great introduction)
British Sea Power - Krankenhaus (to-tide-you-over EP)
The Devil Makes Three - The Devil Makes Three (old-timey americana/punk)
Ayo - Joyful (sweet R&B songstress)

The Hoosiers

In general, I know that I am bound to like an album if Drowned in Sound gives it a horrible review (usually my favorites receive 3 or 4 out of a possible 10). I honestly love reading their negative reviews, just becuase they are so well written and often hilarious. It may not be hip to like The Feeling or The Hoosiers, but I just can't help myself. Apparently, neither can the rest of the UK... Their most recent single "Goodbye Mr. A" hit the Top 5 and their debut album The Trick to Life is currently number one on the charts. "Goodbye Mr. A" is utterly irresistible on the first listen. It is big and bold and truly one of the most fun songs to come along in a good while. Imagine Jeff Buckley fronting ELO.

The Hoosiers - Goodbye Mr. A
The Hoosiers - LoveStoned (Justin Timberlake cover)
The Hoosiers - We Didn't Start The Fire (Billy Joel cover)

RIYL: The Darkness, The Feeling, MIKA, XTC, The Cure